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Apple Notes

Apple's free notes app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and the web

FreeNote-TakingChecked Oct 5, 20264.8 on the App Store
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What is Apple Notes?

Notes is Apple's note-taking app for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro. A note can hold text, checklists, tables, scanned documents, sketches, audio recordings with transcripts and file attachments, and notes are organized with folders, tags and Smart Folders. Notes sync between devices through iCloud, can be shared with other iCloud users and can also be opened in a web browser at iCloud.com.

Apple Notes is free to use. See every plan

Good for

  • People who use only Apple devices
  • Quick capture with Quick Note, Siri or dictation on Apple Watch
  • Scanning receipts and documents into searchable notes
  • Families and friends sharing notes and folders over iCloud

Worth knowing

  • Apps are listed only for Apple devices; on anything else, notes are reached in a web browser at iCloud.com.
  • Notes on iCloud.com works only with notes stored in iCloud, not with notes kept in other accounts such as Google or Yahoo.
  • Sync relies on iCloud, which includes 5 GB of free storage; iCloud+ plans with more storage start at $0.99 per month for 50 GB.
  • Sharing is limited to people who use iCloud, and Apple says certain features are available only in select languages and regions.

Key features

Rich notes
A note can combine text styles, checklists, tables, photos, PDFs, maps and web links. Section headers collapse to hide the text under them.
Audio recording and transcripts
Audio sessions are recorded inside a note with a live transcript, and transcripts are searchable to find a particular moment.
Document scanner and handwriting
A built-in scanner captures paper documents. Sketches and handwriting are added with a finger, or with Apple Pencil on a compatible iPad, including on inline PDFs.
Folders, tags and Smart Folders
Notes sit in folders and subfolders or carry typed or handwritten tags. Smart Folders collect notes by rules such as date created, checklists or attachments.
Search and links between notes
Search covers typed text, handwriting and the text inside scanned documents and photos. Notes can link to one another, with >> as a typing shortcut.
Shared and locked notes
Notes and folders can be shared with other iCloud users, with changes shown in real time and an Activity view. A note can be locked with the device passcode or a custom password.

Apple Notes pricing

Starts at
Free
Free plan
The app is listed as free on the App Store, with no in-app purchases. Syncing runs through iCloud, which includes 5 GB of free storage with an Apple Account.
Free trial
None listed
Free$0Every feature of the app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro, plus browser access at iCloud.com.

Read from apps.apple.com on Oct 5, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Apple Notes before you buy.

Pricing in detail

What people say about Apple Notes

4.8

out of 5 for the iPhone and iPad app

  1. 5 stars91%
  2. 4 stars5%
  3. 3 stars1%
  4. 2 stars<1%
  5. 1 star2%

650,439 ratings on the App Store in the United States, read Oct 7, 2026. It rates the app, not everything the product does. See the listing

Often praised

  • Commenters who tried Obsidian, Notion, Evernote or Simplenote say they settled on it because it is simple and already there. Hacker News 1, 2, 3
  • Notes that stay in step across iPhone, iPad and Mac without a separate subscription are named as a reason for staying with it. Hacker News 1, 2 · App Store reviews

Often criticised

  • Commenters dislike that notes sit in the app's own store instead of as ordinary files, and name Markdown as what they would rather have. Hacker News 1, 2, 3
  • Heavy users among the reviewers report faults: an iPad that runs hot when writing with the Pencil, crashes, and syncing or shared notes that lag or lose work. App Store reviews
  • Commenters who want more from a notes app say it offers too little, which is the reason some give for building or moving to another editor. Hacker News 1, 2, 3

Based on 10 App Store reviews, four of them one star, from February 2022 to July 2026, and about 25 Hacker News comments from July to October 2026, read Oct 7, 2026. These are themes summarised in our words, not our own verdict. Follow the links to read what was said.

Apple Notes reviews, and where to read more

Works with

Apple Notes alternatives

All Apple Notes alternatives comparedAll note-taking apps

Common questions

Is Apple Notes free?

Yes. Apple Notes is free to use. The app is listed as free on the App Store, with no in-app purchases. Syncing runs through iCloud, which includes 5 GB of free storage with an Apple Account.

How much does Apple Notes cost?

Apple Notes lists one plan. Free: $0. Prices were read from apps.apple.com on Oct 5, 2026.

What platforms does Apple Notes work on?

Apple Notes is available on iOS, macOS and Web.

How is Apple Notes rated?

Apple Notes's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.8 out of 5 from 650,439 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 7, 2026. That is the store's rating of the app, not a score from us.

Is Apple Notes any good?

We have not tested Apple Notes, so this is what reviewers say. Often praised: Commenters who tried Obsidian, Notion, Evernote or Simplenote say they settled on it because it is simple and already there. Often criticised: Commenters dislike that notes sit in the app's own store instead of as ordinary files, and name Markdown as what they would rather have. The reviews page has every theme with its sources.

Does Apple Notes have an Android app?

No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Apple Notes is listed for iOS, macOS and Web.

Does Apple Notes have a Windows app?

No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Apple Notes is listed for iOS, macOS and Web.

Is Apple Notes open source?

Apple Notes is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 5, 2026.

What does Apple Notes integrate with?

Apple Notes's listing names iCloud, Siri, Safari and Maps. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.

Who makes Apple Notes?

Apple Notes is made by Apple.

What are the alternatives to Apple Notes?

The closest alternatives to Apple Notes in our directory are Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote, Bear, Evernote and Simplenote. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Apple Notes.

Sources for this page

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 5, 2026. What people say is linked where it appears.